Magnetic resonance imaging of the paranasal sinuses in divers.
BACKGROUND
CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) frequently reveal asymptomatic paranasal sinus mucosal hypertrophy in the general population.


OBJECTIVE
Divers can suffer asymptomatic paranasal sinus mucosal injury secondary to barotrauma.


METHODS
We examined 20 professional divers by MRI and compared them to 20 normal controls. Paranasal sinus mucosal hypertrophy was defined as mucosal thickening of 3 mm or greater.


RESULTS
Nine divers had paranasal sinus mucosal hypertrophy vs. four controls (p = 0.09). There was no significant relationship between paranasal sinus hypertrophy and age, diving history, alcohol consumption, or smoking.


CONCLUSIONS
Divers had a tendency toward paranasal sinus mucosal hypertrophy.
Yanagawa
Y
Y
National Defense Medical College, Department of Traumatology and Critical Care Medicine, Saitama, Japan.
Okada
Y
Y
Ishida
K
K
Fukuda
H
H
Hirata
F
F
Fujita
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D001469:Barotrauma / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004242:Diving / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy; D015994:Incidence; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D009092:Mucous Membrane; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000293:injuries*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects